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"Genius is born, not made." So goes the famous quote, more or less. But, what DEFINES genius? Specifically, comedic genius? Is it witty dialogue? Perhaps broad slapstick, physical contortions, the expert use of perfectly ordinary props? Or maybe it's definitive form is that of a long, lanky, rubber jointed Briton possessed with the ability to reduce masses of humanity to giggling idiots simply by standing perfectly still. John Marwood Cleese is a comedic genius, and Fawlty Towers his shining showcase. Although best known to Americans for his work in Monty Python's Flying Circus, John Cleese has been making audiences laugh for nearly five decades. Notwithstanding all the fun he's given us, Fawlty Towers remains the ultimate testament to Cleese at his best. Comedy is a difficult art, and character comedy the toughest of all. In Basil Fawlty, however, Cleese has created a character that not only stands the test of time, he shrieks at it defiantly. This arrogant, overbearing, conniving, fawning manic master of the sotto voce insult, with his equally vitriolic tongued wife Sybil, owns and operates a small hotel in the seaside resort of Torquay. A handful of elderly permanent guests, a beautiful waitress who wants to be a painter and a pathetically eager Spanish waiter round out the daily people in Basil's world, which seems to be in a perpetual state of chaos, usually of his own making. This boxed set of four VHS tapes contains the complete series, which only produced twelve episodes during its two season run on British television (1975-1976). Written and produced by Cleese and his then real life wife Connie Booth, playing Polly the waitress, their seamless interaction is flawlessly complimented by Prunella Scales as Sybil, Basil's no-nonsense wife, and Andrew Sachs as poor Manuel, the utterly dense, English language mangling waiter. For purists, this collection presents the episodes in no particular order. For instance, the actual first episode "A Touch of Class" is included here as the last episode on the second video. All of the episodes are full length. Space does not allow me to summarize or review all twelve episodes, so I will simply submit my personal favorite. Although Cleese termed it the weakest of the lot, my vote is still cast for "The Builders", episode 2 of the series. The premise: After deciding to remodel the lobby and entrance to the dining area, Basil and Sybil prepare to depart for a golf weekend. (Sybil: "Come ON, Basil, we're already late!" Basil: "Coming, my little puff adder...") Sybil has hired Mr. Stubbs, an expert local contractor. Unbeknownst to Sybil, however, Basil, to save money, has cancelled Stubbs and substituted the services of Mr. O'Reilly (David Kelly), a bungling, inept buffoon, but much more affordable (Sybil: "You like O'Reilly because he's CHEAP, Basil!"). Naturally, the job is a nightmare. Basil returns early to find the work completely wrong and without a hope of putting it right before Sybil arrives. Funniest bit: Manuel, speaking to the tradesmen in his mangled English("You are orally men?")! You will howl. Every episode will keep you laughing with intelligent humour and ludicrous behaviour. Whether you're a Python devotee or a fan of English humour in general, Fawlty Towers is a MUST HAVE for any serious collection. I prefer the VHS boxed set. The DVD doesn't have a lot of extra features and the VHS set is boxed attractively for display. My recommendation: Buy It Now!Read full review
If you love "Britcoms" such as Monty Python's Flying Circus, Are you being served?, Mr. Bean, etc., you need to own Fawlty Towers. The premise is an excellent one of our hero, John Cleese (Basil Fawlty) struggling against the daily grind (most of which is self induced!) and in a constant power struggle (he thinks) with his wife Sybil, played brilliantly by Prunella Scales. The cast is rounded out with the wise-cracking, but well meaning housekeeper Polly (played by Connie Booth who also co-wrote the series with Cleese) and the hapless waiter/foil & target for Basil's angst, Manuel (Andrew Sachs) "Please forgive him, he's from Spain". These shows will give hours of pleasure as with most of John Cleese material it is brilliant combo of slap-stick & cerebral humor you can watch time after time...Read full review
Fantastic shape! I am laughing non stop! Thank you!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
My dad has enjoyed this show for years, and now he has his own copies to play on his VCR. Great British comedy.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
When I heard it described as such, I was awed that, for once, everyone agreed with me. Cleese's series can be described as dark humor at best, but it was a masterpiece series without a weak episode, a bad joke or a dull moment throughout. The chemistry is perfect, the scriptwriting flawless and the comedy incomparable. This is not only the funniest sitcom ever created but may be well competing with itself as to which episode is the Greatest Comedy of All Time.
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